Page:The Wisconsin idea (IA cu31924032449252).pdf/187

 public utility law and all other similar legislation. If you can make a standard of reasonableness to fix a rate upon railroads, and then establish a body of men to see that the rate is carried out, why can you not apply the same thing to health, life and the sanitation of our factories? So they passed the industrial commission act and gave to the industrial commission the administration of this work. This act, instead of specifying one hundred and one different kinds of belts, nuts and screws which might cause injury, requires all factories and places of employment to be reasonably safe and hygienic.

The law is considered by many the greatest piece of legislation yet put forth in Wisconsin, and one which may be a long stride toward the solution of the whole industrial accident problem in America. Many humane manufacturers willing to do much for the betterment of conditions of life and health, are irritated by legislation good in its intention but so awkward in its construction as to be practically unworkable. The fixing of standards of life and health is just as easy as the fixing of valuations for rates of the price of gas or any other utility, and it is much better for the manufacturer and the public at large that there be some scientific or expert service in the standardization. This in itself would seem to be a cure for a large part of the lobbying which is now done in the legislative halls. A new in-